CMA vs CFA : Salary, Syllabus, Difficulty, Career Scope & More

 CMA vs CFA : Salary, Syllabus, Difficulty, Career Scope & More

If you're confused between CMA (Cost and Management Accounting) and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) in 2025, you're not alone. Both are globally recognized finance certifications but serve different career paths. In this blog by Khabre360, we break down CMA vs CFA based on salary, syllabus, difficulty, scope, and more to help you decide.

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What is CMA?

CMA stands for Certified Management Accountant, offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA. It focuses on management accounting, cost control, budgeting, and financial decision-making.

CMA Eligibility:

• Bachelor’s degree in any stream.

• 2 years of relevant work experience.

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What is CFA?

CFA stands for Chartered Financial Analyst, offered by the CFA Institute, USA. It is considered the gold standard in investment management, equity research, and portfolio management.

CFA Eligibility:

• Final-year undergraduate student or a graduate.

• Passport is mandatory for registration.

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CMA vs CFA: Salary in 2025

Parameter	CMA (USA)	CFA (USA)
India Salary	₹6 – ₹12 LPA	₹7 – ₹20 LPA
International	$80,000 – $100,000/year	$100,000 – $150,000/year
Entry-Level	₹5 – ₹7 LPA	₹6 – ₹10 LPA

Note: Salaries depend on experience, role, and location.

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CMA vs CFA: Syllabus Comparison

CMA Syllabus:

• Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics

• Part 2: Strategic Financial Management

CFA Syllabus:

• Level 1: Ethics, Quantitative Methods, Economics, Financial Reporting

• Level 2: Asset Valuation, Equity, Fixed Income

• Level 3: Portfolio Management, Wealth Planning

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CMA vs CFA: Duration & Exam Format

Parameter	CMA	CFA
Duration	6 – 12 months	2 – 3 years
Levels	2	3
Exam Mode	Online (Prometric Centers)	Online/Offline
Pass Rate	~50%	~40%

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CMA vs CFA: Pros & Cons

Pros of CMA:

• Quick certification (1 year).

• High demand in management accounting roles.

• Recognized globally.

Cons of CMA:

• Limited scope in core finance or investment.

• Fewer job roles compared to CFA.

Pros of CFA:

• Prestigious designation in investment and finance.

• Opens global roles in portfolio management, investment banking.

• Higher salary potential.

Cons of CFA:

• Long duration (up to 3 years).

• Very tough exams.

• Requires deep understanding of financial markets.

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CMA vs CFA: Which is Harder?

• CFA is generally considered more difficult due to vast syllabus, advanced financial concepts, and low pass rates.

• CMA is shorter and more application-based, making it easier in comparison.

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Career Scope in 2025

CMA Career Roles:

• Cost Accountant

• Financial Analyst

• Budget Analyst

• Corporate Controller

CFA Career Roles:

• Investment Banker

• Equity Research Analyst

• Portfolio Manager

• Risk Manager

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CMA vs CFA: Final Verdict

Choose CMA if…	Choose CFA if…
You want a faster route into accounting.	You aim for a career in investment/finance.
You prefer budgeting, costing, and MIS.	You enjoy stock markets and valuation.
You want managerial finance roles.	You want to work in global finance firms.

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Conclusion

Both CMA and CFA are powerful certifications, but your career goals should determine the right choice. If you're targeting cost control and internal finance roles, CMA is ideal. But if you're dreaming of becoming a fund manager or investment analyst, CFA is the best fit.

Stay connected with Khabre360 for more updates on finance careers, exams, and salary insights!

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